Skoda Fabia 1.2 Ambiente - (Why did I book this car?)|| 23-Nov-2009--> 100km update

Unique features in Fabia which are not currently offerred by many manufacturers in same class.

1. Safety:

Braking System: The car has vacuum assisted brakes, means when your foot is off accelerator, the engine vacuum assists the hydraulic braking system.

Engine-Drag Torque Control: While driving whenever the brakes are *to be* applied, the driver leaves the accelerator pedal in order to press the brakes. As soon as the accelerator pedal is released, the engine practically comes to a standstill, and wheels experience a sudden resistance to their rotation due to engine torque being reduced to almost NiL. At this time, the vehicle has a tendency to skid. Since the brakes have not yet been applied, the ABS is not in a position to prevent it. The MSR system, detects this, and if any of the wheels is skidding, the engine torque is increased so that the vehicle stays straing on road. This feature is absent in all ABS versions of all super hatch segment segment cars available in India.

Seatbelt Pre-tensioners: In the event of a minor impact the seat belt is tightened so that the driver and the co-passenger are pulled into the seats. This is very important as upto a certain level of impact the AIR BAGS are not trigerred and the work gets done only by the belt tensioner.

Air Bags: These are standard fitment in all versions of Fabia unlike these are present only in top version to other cars. (The i20 has a good feature here is that the Air Bags can be turned off atleast I don't know if that is there in a Fabia)

 Engine Shear bolt: In a small car if the speed of impact is very high, there is a danger of engine flying into the passenger cabin. Skoda, has used shear bolts for engine mounts, and in such a situation the engine is dislodged from its mounts and dropped into the hood of the car. In no case the engine will land up in the passenger cabin. This is absent in all super hatches in India I know of.

Rough Road Package: The car comes fitted with a thick steel plate (with rust protection) in the floor space between the two wheels. This is a very strong plate and you dealer can easily show that the car can be lifted on this plate. This protects the car when the underbody rubs against a speed-breaker.

Electro Hydraulic Power Steering: This system, has an electric motor which drives the hydraulic pump of the power steering. While this makes the steering very soft when the car is still, or moving at a very slow speed (like when you part the car), on the other hand at high speeds, it helps keep the steering firm. This is very helpful, when you encounter a pot hole, at speeds above 100Km/h.

I have driven many cars as a part of my job with major auto makers. However keeping in my affordability, I decided to book a Fabia (Since company is offerring a discount it came within my Budget). You will notice that even some mid segment sedan cars like may not have *all* of these safety features together.

I examined a FABIA ona 4 post lift. The underbody seems very strong. The shockers have VW/AUDI Logo.

The car is yet to be delivered,.. however above features did compell me to book this car. I understand that the service cost would be around Rs5000 and the fuel economy might not be as great as Many other super hatches, however having seen few of premium wrecked cars as a part of my job I do beleive that safety is important for everyone including those, in and out of the car. The air bag repair cost I beleive would be around 2L plus, but belevie me the car's worth is proven if you are out unharmed (and in one piece) from a badly damaged car.

I was surprised that even the dealer was not aware of quite a few of the features above. he kept telling me only cosmetic features.

On the cons side: The engine is very refined, but is probably as good (if not worse) than Swift. The acceleration can be improved however. The troque delivery at low RPM makes city driving easier with lot less gear shifts. Personally speaking I really like the 4WD Swift - Suzuki sells elsewhere. However due to MSR the engine behaviour changes while retarding and this makes a difference. Swift and i20 appear much more heavy than this car though there is not very much appreciable difference in weight. i20 is expensive (slightly more than Fabia for higher segments). Honda Jazz the priciest car in this segment comes with a 90BHP engine, and is too much expensive considering the features given by Fabia, i20 and Swift. Styling is very good in Swift, UVA and i20. I beleive styling is a personal choice.

I will give more updates when I actually get to drive this. The dealer has not yet confirmed any delivery date.

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100km update: So finally on 23rd Nov my car was delivered. Following are update as on date after clocking 100kms.

1. Height adjustable seat belts (very convenient to route the seatbelt from your shoulder and not you neck.

2. Crank protection : One cannot crank if the engine has already started. (This is important as quite a few times, we tend to crank an engine which is already ON.) This protects the starter motor as well as engine flywheel ring gear for damage and prolongs their life.

3. Brake groan noise was observed. (if you have a sensitive ear you may hear a groan noise, when the car is just started after applying brakes.

4. Lighting: The front light intensity and coverage is very good after FOG lamps are switched on with High beam for head light. The car has *independent* rear fog lamp which can be swithced on regeardless of the reverse gear.

5. City Driving is a pleasure - good low end torque

*The above comments are my personal views only and might differ from other's just like any body else's. I appreciate your patience and understanding while reading this.*

MSR (Engine Drag-torque Control), ABS, Vacuum Assisted Brakes, Seat Belt Tensioners, Shear BoltsStyiling is better in swift and i20, cost equals that of a decent sedan